Hemzeh NEKOUEI (IRI) sanctioned after anti-doping violation at 2013 Asian Championships

Hamzeh NEKOUEI (IRI) tested positive for the masking agent glycerol on 1 November 2013, a prohibited specific substance listed under S5 (Diuretics and other masking agents), at the 2013 Asian Archery Championships in Chinese Taipei.

He is now ineligible to compete for two years from 17 February 2014.

World Archery’s Anti-Doping Panel for this case, composed of Mr John A FAYLOR (Chairman), Professor Luigi FUMAGALLI and Dr Peter JENOURE, decided the following:

I. The Athlete, Mr Hamzeh NEKOUEI, Iran, Archer:

(i) has committed an anti-doping rule violation pursuant to Article 35.3.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules of World Archery;

(ii) is sanctioned with a period of ineligibility of two years in accordance with Article 35.11.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules of World Archery, commencing as of the date of the provisional suspension on 17 February 2014;

(ii) shall have all competitive results achieved at the 18th Asian Archery Championships in Taipei between 29 October 2013 and 2 November 2013 disqualified;

(iv) shall have any competitive results obtained by him individually or by any team in which he was a member from the date of his positive sample on 1 November 2013 until the date of his provisional suspension retroactively forfeited.

Decision of the Anti-Doping Panel: Mr Hamzeh NEKOUEI (IRI)

As a result of Hamzeh NEKOUEI’s disqualification, the 2013 Asian Championships results have been corrected. The compound men’s podium reads Abhishek VERMA (IND) gold, Sandeep KUMAR (IND) silver and Chanchai WONG (THA) bronze. Chinese Taipei is awarded compound men’s team bronze.

World Archery has an extensive Clean Sport programme adapted to the risk inherent in archery and regularly tests athletes both in and out of competition. Anti-Doping rule violations at an international level are rare in the sport.

In 2013, World Archery conducted 164 tests under the Clean Sport programme, of which this was the only sample resulting in an anti-doping violation. An additional 44 out of competition tests carried out on the registered testing pool were negative.

Read the Anti-Doping Panel’s decision in full.

For press: download the press release, or contact World Archery Communications Manager Chris WELLS for more information.